Hon. Marty Klyne: Honourable senators, as a senator from Saskatchewan and Treaty 4 territory, I rise to speak to Senator Cardozo’s inquiry regarding the future of the CBC/Radio-Canada.
The CBC is far more than a public broadcaster. It is Canada’s national public broadcaster, serving Canadians for over 85 years. In many ways, it connects us across our vast and diverse federation. Sadly, there are some who propose to defund this cherished national institution, and I don’t agree with that proposal.
Let us first understand what the CBC truly represents. Canada has a breathtaking geographical expanse, from the rocky shores of Newfoundland to the towering rainforests of B.C., from the windswept Arctic tundra to the majestic Great Lakes, from the golden plains of Saskatchewan to the snowy peaks of Alberta. Across this great country, the CBC serves as a critical communication bridge. Our public broadcaster reaches the most remote corners of our country and connects our Canadian family.
Consider the unique challenges of Canadian media. Where commercial broadcasters see no economic incentive, the CBC steps in and steps up. It provides comprehensive coverage in both official languages and eight Indigenous languages, ensuring that the communities that might otherwise be voiceless have a platform in northern and rural regions.
CBC is not just about entertainment; it’s about survival, connection and cultural preservation. During emergencies, whether a winter storm in Labrador or a wildfire in Yukon, the CBC becomes essential infrastructure. When cell networks fail, CBC radio waves continue to carry vital information, potentially saving lives.
But the CBC’s importance extends far beyond emergency communication; it is a cultural cornerstone. As the largest commissioner of original Canadian content, it drives our creative sector. Think of the classic CBC shows over the years: “The Beachcombers,” “Road to Avonlea,” “Street Legal,” “North of 60,” “The Nature of Things,” “Schitt’s Creek,” “Kim’s Convenience” and “Heartland.” Without the CBC, would these stories have been told?
On CBC Radio One, think of “As It Happens,” “The Current,” “Cross Country Checkup,” “Quirks & Quarks,” “Q,” “Unreserved,” “Reclaimed” and “Massey Lectures.”
On Radio-Canada, think of a show that has no comparison, like “Tout le monde en parle.” Consider the importance of a CBC political comedy to Canadians over the years. On “Royal Canadian Air Farce” every New Year’s Eve, the chicken cannon blasted politicians of all stripes with equal-opportunity satire, not to mention disgusting goo.
Rick Mercer’s reign on CBC makes Charles our country’s second king in recent years. Out of Halifax, “This Hour Has 22 Minutes” is currently experiencing a golden age, with Chris Wilson impersonating both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Honourable Pierre Poilievre.
The CBC’s annual budget of $1.8 billion anchors an information and creative economy, contributing $72.9 billion to our economy and providing jobs for at least 630,000 Canadians in large and small communities alike.
Defunding the CBC would be a mistake. It would create an irreplaceable void in our national communication ecosystem and our Canadian soul. Perhaps what should be considered is a turnaround recovery strategy. Critics argue that CBC should only do what private media won’t. This market-failure view fundamentally misunderstands the purpose of public broadcasting. While private media aims to generate profit, public broadcasters serve the public good. The CBC doesn’t just fill gaps; it creates a shared national experience.
Consider how the CBC connects us: a farmer in Manitoba, a hunter in Nunavut, an artist in Montreal, a lobster fisherman in P.E.I. — and if Senator Cotter were here, I would let him know that they do ship live lobsters — and a Starbucks customer in Toronto. Through CBC programming, they all discover what we have in common as Canadians, including our Charter values and sense of humour. They hear stories reflecting their experiences while gaining insights into the lives of their fellow Canadians. “Still Standing” is a comedy and reality series that travels across Canada to discover the hidden gems, rich heritage and culture in small towns.
Internationally, through Radio Canada International, the CBC serves as a bridge to the world. It connects Canadians abroad, promotes our culture globally and helps attract talent and investment to our country.
Philosopher John Ralston Saul aptly notes that the public broadcaster remains one of the most important remaining levers that a nation state has to communicate with itself. In an era of increasing media fragmentation, misinformation, conspiracy theories — and worse, disinformation — the CBC stands as a trusted source of reliable, fact-based reporting.
Does this mean the CBC is perfect? No. It faces significant challenges: funding constraints, technological disruption and changing media-consumption habits. Canada’s media industry, with CBC as a dominant player, is currently grappling with an increasing trust deficit. According to Reuters Institute, trust in media has reached its lowest point in seven years. Moreover, research from spark*advocacy in April revealed that 45% of Canadians support the idea of shutting down the CBC to save taxpayer dollars. Even more troubling, 40% believe that CBC News functions as propaganda, with younger Canadians more likely than older generations to share this perception.
CBC’s audience metrics add to this picture of declining trust and engagement. The broadcaster’s own third-quarter report for 2022-23 highlighted that CBC television underperformed against its targets as viewership and total audiences fell. Similarly, CBC Radio’s digital reach, digital engagement, visits to children’s content and regional digital news engagement all failed to meet targets. These declines indicate broader challenges in retaining and growing audiences in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
An even more alarming trend is the hostility that CBC journalists face, both online and in person. The ombudsman’s annual report for 2021-22 described this year as the most contentious on record, with complaints soaring by 60% compared to the previous year. The tone and intensity of these complaints have become increasingly vitriolic, underscoring the fraught relationship between the public and the national broadcaster.
These trends beg the question: What has gone wrong? Among the most common criticisms is the perception of political bias. Many Canadians believe that the CBC has become a mouthpiece for the Liberal government, which undermines its fairness and independence. Addressing these concerns will require greater transparency, particularly in how the CBC interacts with the government and manages its resources. By openly reporting on its inner workings, including programming decisions and spending, the CBC could rebuild public confidence.
Another significant issue is groupthink within the CBC. Critics argue that the broadcaster exhibits a left-leaning bias which stems from a lack of diversity in backgrounds and opinions across its workforce. With many people coming from urban, university-educated and progressive political circles, newsrooms risk becoming echo chambers that fail to reflect Canada’s diverse viewpoints.
This dynamic is compounded by labour practices. According to a Toronto Metropolitan University review, CBC employs over 2,000 temporary or contract workers daily, roughly a quarter of its workforce. This reliance on precarious labour creates financial instability which discourages dissenting voices, stifles journalistic integrity and weakens democracy.
Despite these challenges, CBC’s problems are not insurmountable. They demand a robust, turnaround-recovery strategy to take a good look around, focus on self-reflection and strategic reform, including meaningful responsiveness to any valid criticism.
I strongly believe that defunding is not the answer. There are many external and internal issues that need to be assessed. They need to build on CBC’s strengths, cultivate its competitive advantages, reinvest in themselves and make deep transformation.
While the immediate economic threats to Canadian media were temporarily mitigated by the passage of the Online Streaming Act and Online News Act, structural changes remain. Broadcasters continue to face financial losses and producers are seeing significant reductions in Canadian content commissions. Even if the industry stabilizes, the economics of Canada’s small market often prioritize culturally generic programming aimed at an international audience rather than programming that reflects the country’s rich diversity and tells our Canadian stories.
Perhaps the greatest threat to CBC is not political or economic, but a lack of understanding about its broader purpose. Public broadcasting should be recognized as a service for the public good, not merely as a gap filler where private media falls short. If we fail to champion a vision, the conversation about CBC’s future risks being dominated by private media interests which may not prioritize the public good. Strategic reform and a renewed focus on CBC’s core strengths and marketplace advantages could ensure its relevance and value to all Canadians.
We need a CBC that continually adapts with more transparent budget allocation, enhanced digital platforms and a refined mandate that maintains its core public service mission. Every dollar invested in the CBC generates two dollars back to the economy, particularly in regions that the commercial media would never serve.
Funding culture is not a luxury. It is a necessity for nation building and the vibrancy of our connections to each other as Canadians.
Great countries invest in institutions that preserve their performing arts, stories, languages and values — just look around Europe. The CBC is an investment in Canada’s future and is a distinct and unique identity, including with the ever-present influence of our good friends to the south.
To those who would defund the CBC, I say this: You would be dismantling a critical piece of our national infrastructure and our identity. It is fundamental to our federation.
Ultimately, the future of our public broadcaster is up to Canadians. But as patriotic Canadians in this chamber, let’s do our part to ensure the future is bright and our pride is storied and inspiring. Instead of defunding, let’s choose to defend, reform and strengthen the CBC to ensure it continues to inform, enlighten and unite Canadians for generations to come.
Our tax dollars should be on a robust turnaround strategy, not defunding and the fire-selling of lands, buildings and equipment to private equity investors to economically repurpose for a lesser purpose.
Thank you, and hiy kitatamîhin.